DOJ’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force head resigns

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced late last month that its head of Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF) would resign from his post.

Michael Bresnick has served as the executive director of the FFETF since October 2011, when he was appointed to the position by Attorney General Eric Holder. President Barack Obama created the FFETF in 2009 as a way to aggressively take action to prevent and prosecute financial crimes.

“Throughout his tenure as Executive Director of the President’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, Mike Bresnick has played an indispensable role in leading interagency efforts to ensure stability and fairness in our financial and housing markets—while holding accountable those who take advantage of their fellow citizens,” Holder said in a July 31 statement released by the DOJ. “Under Mike’s leadership, the Department’s approach in identifying—and combating—financial fraud has never been smarter, more systematic, or more effective. I am grateful for his tireless work, his dedication to public service, and his commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. I am certain that the Department, and the American people, will continue to benefit from Mike’s efforts for years to come. And I wish him the best as he takes the next step in his career.”

During his time with the FFETF, Bresnick made several significant steps toward fighting financial crime, such as launching the Consumer Protection Working Group and implementing strategies to investigate fraud in the residential mortgage backed securities market.

Bresnick’s next stop is Stein Mitchell Muse & Cipollone, where he will join as partner in September.

“We are extremely pleased that Mike will be joining our firm. He is a seasoned litigator with broad experience and a long record of accomplishment,” said Pat A. Cipollone, a partner at Stein Mitchell, in a statement.